Background

The World Customs Organization (WCO) established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council, with 171 Member Governments collectively responsible for processing 98 % of world trade, is the only independent international inter-governmental organization specialized in Customs matters.

WCO vision

The WCO is internationally acknowledged as the global centre of Customs expertise and plays a leading role in the discussion, development, promotion, and implementation of modern and secure Customs systems and procedures. It is responsible to the needs of its Members and its strategic environment, and its instruments and best practice approaches are recognized as the basis for sound Customs administration throughout the world.

WCO mission

Cargo control by dogs, copyright to French Customs

The WCO's mission is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Member Customs administrations, thereby assisting them to contribute successfully to national development goals, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, revenue collection, community protection, and national security.

• Develops, maintains and promotes a series of internationally agreed conventions, other instruments and best-practice approaches to achieve harmonization and simplification of Customs systems and procedures.
• Promotes the strategic interests of the WCO and the wider international Customs community through co-operation, communication and partnership with governments, other international and regional organizations, donor agencies and the private sector.
• Provides a forum for international co-operation and the exchange of information and experience between Member administrations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provides a range of capacity building, training and technical assistance and integrity programmes to increase the capacity of Member Customs administrations to contribute effectively to national development goals.
• Conducts research and analysis into issues and trends of strategic importance to the WCO and Member administrations.
• Manages and administers its human and financial resources in a cost effective, transparent, and responsible manner, and works with Member administrations to improve its capacity and capability to meet its objectives.
  

Customs modernization is on the march
Although significant progress has been made, efficient and effective performance is not spread evenly among all Customs administrations, or in all regions of the world. To address this issue, the WCO has an active capacity building program that provides Members with, inter alia, needs assessment support, technical tools and guidelines, and some training and technical assistance including an e-learning programme. In 2003, the WCO developed a Customs Diagnostic Framework tool that assists Member administrations to be more self-reliant through the provision of strategic management.

Using the WCO Diagnostic Framework, the WCO's primary driver for bolstering capacity building is the WCO Columbus Programme, which involves the production of a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis of a Customs adminstration's capacity gaps based on rigorous research methods and analysis conducted in country. The diagnostic report, which contains findings and a list of prioritized recommendations, is presented by the WCO analyst to the leadership of the Customs administration under review and other high-level government officials. Because capacity building under the Columbus Programme takes an all encompassing and strategic management approach, the initiative strengthens all areas of Customs responsibilities, including revenue collection, trade facilitation, enforcement, and security.

Customs control on hazardous cargo, copyright to Ukrainian Customs

For more detailed information, please see the WCO Secretariat Web site: www.wcoomd.org, or go to the Discover the WCO at: http://www.wcoomd.org/learning.htm

Draft Calendar for Council and Committee Sessions, and other meetings

1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009

Training materials

Other documents

PROMOTING GREEN TRADE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Customs Training Programmes

WCO Background

The World Customs Organization (WCO) (1) , the only independent intergovernmental body with responsibility for Customs matters, was established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council.
The WCO's 168 Members worldwide are collectively responsible for processing 98% of world trade.

Training and Technical Assistance Activities:

• The WCO conducts a range of training and technical assistance activities for the Members by developing a policy of regionalization as well as an e-learning tool.
  The main objectives of its training and technical assistance programmes are to:
• ensure the implementation and uniform application of Customs conventions administered by the WCO like:
  - the Harmonized System for the classification of goods under Customs tariffs and for the production of foreign trade statistics; - the WCO/WTO valuation system; - the Harmonized Rules of Origin; - the Revised Kyoto Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures; - the Nairobi and Johannesburg Conventions on mutual administrative assistance for the prevention, investigation and repression of Customs offences; - and other international Customs conventions governing standard procedures.
• ensure the application of recommendations or other WCO instruments (resolution, decision, guidelines...)
• improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations in the enforcement of regulations and in the delivery of quality service to society, to governments and to the business community.
• help Member Customs administrations to reform and modernize their organization, to employ modern technologies, to introduce better management practices and human resources management including training system development and greater transparency in procedures, and to improve the integrity of their staff.

The network operates through its 11Rregional training centres in the world to ensure collection, treatment, analysis and dissemination of intelligence with their national contact points network.

WCO public and private web sites: The public area is designed to promote the various legal instruments managed by the WCO Secretariat. The information in this area is accessible to everyone who has Internet and Web access. The address of this public area is www.wcoomd.org The access to the private area is designed for WCO Members and some partners and restricted by use of a user name and password given by the WCO Secretariat. The principal function of this area is to allow the Customs community to reach relevant documents on certain topics, which are subject to discussion at the WCO meetings and to share experiences.

UNEP and WCO

UNEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the WCO Secretariat in 2003 on cooperation in their own mandates, ranging from mutual consultation, information exchange, reciprocal representation and technical cooperation.

CITES unit and WCO:

The CITES Secretariat signed a MOU with the WCO Secretariat in 1996 on cooperation to curb illegal trade in endangered species in order to formalize the already existing close cooperation. To complete the MOU, the WCO has adopted some recommendations to help Customs administrations to strengthen their cooperation with relevant agencies at national level, e.g. management authorities. The WCO Secretariat and Interpol are exchanging CITES enforcement information.

Copyright to CITES team HM Revenue & Customs, UK

BASEL and WCO

The Basel Secretariat and the WCO Secretariat signed a MOU in 1997 in order to create an administrative base for further co-operation and exchange of information within their competence.
The WCO Council also adopted a recommendation by inviting its Members to strengthen current bilateral and multilateral co-operation as well as to share experiences and limited resources in combating illicit trafficking in hazardous materials.

Montreal Protocol and WCO:

- All Montreal Protocol customs officers training organized in association with WCO

- UNEP DTIE's customs training manual and agenda developed in consultation with WCO

- UNEP member of the WCO Task Force constituted by the Ozone Secretariat as per the Decision of the Meeting of the Parties (Decision IX/22).

Linkages with WCO and Interpol:

The WCO and Interpol have been providing the overarching support to these activities through providing technical assistance, customs authority contacts, development of Secretariat-specific Harmonized Codes, information exchange, and investigative support to track environmental crime. Nodal focal points at national level of WCO and appointment of contact persons in the Secretariats as a basis for establishment of formal channels of communication and information exchange may be an important area of work.

Other relevant International Organizations

• Co-operation with OPCW (3):
  At the request of the OPCW, the WCO prepared a Recommendation on the insertion in national statistical nomenclatures subheadings for substances controlled under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The recommendation was adopted by the Council in 1996 and amended in 1999.
  During the last two years, the WCO attended different OPCW meetings and participated in training seminars in order to explain the role of Customs as enforcement authority in such matters.
• Co-operation with IAEA (4):
  WCO and IAEA signed an MOU in 1998 to coordinate their effort to combat illicit trafficking of radioactive material. They are collaborating on the development of a training course for Customs Officers on handling of radioactive materials. The Customs aspects of the course include the Harmonized System, relevant legislation and Customs processes, radiation detection and response procedures, and practical exercises.

( 2) Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Hungary, Kenya, Japan, Russian Federation, China, Hong Kong China, India, Malaysia, South Africa.

(3) OPCW : Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

(4) IAEA : International Atomic Energy Agency

(1) In 1994, the Customs Co-operation Council adopted the working name World Customs Organization. The Convention establishing a Customs Co-operation Council was signed in Brussels in 1950. The CCC's inaugural session was held on 26 January 1953 in the presence of 17 founding Members. The WCO's Headquarters is located in Brussels (Belgium), 30 Rue du Marché B-1210. Web site: http://www.wcoomd.org.

Training Programme of WCO:

• The WCO offers 38 standard training programmes and 66 training modules. It carries out 250 seminars and expert missions annually at a value of 2 million USD.
• During 2006/2007 national and regional seminars are scheduled for the Asian, the Central and South American, and African regions.

E-learning Program

Since June 2003, the WCO has been offering its Member administrations unlimited access to e-learning courses via Internet technology. The successive release of new programmes is therefore proving a useful supplement to traditional training activities.

Since the launch of the e-learning course on Customs controls, risk assessment, profiling and selectivity in June 2003, 6 E-learning programs have been made available to the WCO Members by the end of 2006, others are on the schedule by the end of 2007, among them, CITES. The choice of programs is in keeping with Members' strategic interests, and the Organization is paying particular attention to providing a response tailored to administrator's training needs. In addition, the flexibility of the e-learning system means that updates to the full range of topics covered can be made in real time. This will enable the Organization to guarantee the long-term viability of the training by constantly reviewing the programme content.

For more information, please log on to the website: http://www.wcoomd.org/learning.htm or contact learning@wcoomd.org

Training Content

The WCO uses a standard programme for its national and regional seminars, concentrating on policy, legislation, implementation of the Harmonized System and all technical customs issues, including valuation, rules of origin, facilitation, and enforcement.

WCO Customs network

The WCO Customs worldwide network employs certain instruments:

• The CEN (Customs Enforcement Network) is a global enforcement system to support and enhance Customs' fight against transnational organized crime. This is an internet based system for data exchange and communication between Customs services. It is structured in four main components:
• The non-nominal database of seizures and offenses of 13 commodities (including environment-related seizures), with its strong analytical capacity related to modus operandi, trends, concealment methods, routes, etc.
• CEN Web Site (CWS) is extremely useful, as it is constantly updated and fed with vital Customs information, such as Alerts, intelligence reports, as well as information from other organizations.
• The Concealment Picture Database (CPDb) is an application aiming to illustrate exceptional concealment methods with pictures. In addition to this X-ray, images are uploaded which can be used for training purposes. The CPDb comprises a search tool and provides a direct link to the CEN database in order to obtain full details on single cases, where available.
• CEN COMM is a real-time communication system accessible only to a Closed User Group (CUG) for certain duration. The users may exchange information in the form of encrypted preformatted messages or plain text emails. It is specially designed for Customs operations or joint Customs operations involving other Law Enforcement Agencies. Since its first run in September 2004, 15 Operations have been successfully run on this system. It has been proven secure, cost effective, multifunctional, flexible, and interactive as well as user friendly.

CEN became operational in July 2000. Today, more than 1,800 Customs officers in over 150 countries have access to more than 150,000 seizure information in CEN. Access to the CEN is controlled by a username and password that is granted by the WCO Secretariat. For detailed information, please contact: cis@wccomd.org

• The Global RILO (Regional Intelligence liaison Offices) Network is a global intelligence network to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs enforcement around the world. The RILO programme is organised on three essential and complementary levels: Contact Points (CP) of Member administrations; Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices and the WCO Secretariat The network operates through its 11 regional offices to ensure collection, treatment, analysis and dissemination of intelligence with their national contact points network. The RILO programme is supported by the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN). For more information, please contact:
• RILO Asia and the Pacific, 10th floor, East Wing, Jia 10, Guang Hua Rd, Chao Yang District, Beijing, China 100026, Tel: 86 10 6539 6346, Fax: 86 10 6539 6349, email: rilo-ap@customs.gov.cn
• RILO Middle East, P.O. Box 22631, Riyadh 114416, Saudi Arabia, Tel: 966 1 478 7889, Fax 966 1 478 5887, email: rilo_riyadh@yahoo.com
• RILO Eastern and Southern Africa, Times Towers, Haile Selassie Avenue, P.O. Box 72236-00200 Nariobi, Kenya, Tel: 254 20 340 414, Fax 254 20 317 964, email: rilo.esa@kra.go.ke
• RILO Central Africa, P.O. Box 4049 Douala, Cameroon, Tel: 00237 3010464, Fax 00237 3010510, email: rilobrir@yahoo.com
• RILO Western Africa, Rue Rene Ndiaye angle Carde, B.P. 4033, Dakar, Senegal, Tel: 221 8 22 11 85, Fax: 221 8 22 55 69, email: brirdakar@sentoo.sn
• RILO North Africa, Boulevard Hassan II, B.P. 1799, Rabat, Morocco, Tel: 212 37717838, Fax 212 37717838, email: brir.rilo.naf@douane.gov.ma
• RILO Eastern and Central Europe, 12 Swietokrzyska Str, 00 916 Warsaw, Poland, Tel: 48 22 8269189, Fax: 48 22 8 276797, email: agnes@rilo-waw.pl
• RILO West Europe, Zollkriminalamt, Bergisch Gladbacher Str. 837, D-51069 Koeln, Germany, Tel: 49 221 6724112, Fax: 49 221 6724111, email: office@rilo-we.org
• Joint Intelligence Office, Caribbean CCLEC, 4 Manoel Street, P.O. Box 1030, Castries, St Lucia, Tel: 1 758 453 2556, Fax : 1 758 453 2563, email: cclec@candw.lc
• RILO South America, Direccion nacional de aduanas, Plaza Sotomayor, 60, Valparaiso, Chile, Tel: 56 32 200 645, Fax: 56 32 233 163, email: rilosa@aduana.cl
• RILO CIS, Central Enforcement Department of the Federal Customs Service, Novozavodskaya Str, 11/5, 121087 Moscow, Russia, Tel: 007 495 449 8686, Fax: 007 495 449 8690, email: rilo-moscow@gubk.customs.ru

WCO Global Information & Intelligence Strategy and Risk Assessment Indicators

Risk management is the key to the overall reconciliation of the requirements of enforcement, security and facilitation. Intelligence, in turn, is a key component of risk management. For assisting its Members Customs in their construction of national information and intelligence system, the WCO has developed and periodically updated the Global Intelligence and Information Strategy (GIIS, EC0132E1). In 2005, the Standardized Risk Assessments Model Risk Indicators/ Profiles (EC0149E6) was developed which contains specific indicators for MEA-related illicit trafficking. The SRAs produce risk indicator products for the Customs officers to target goods and conveyances in their daily work either for physical inspection or post importation audit. In doing so, it will at the same time help Customs Services to operate more efficiently and effectively. These tools have proven to be effective in the collection and analysis of data, the enhancement of international cooperation, and in providing guidelines for Members.

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